Ethane biochemical oxidation

Rhodococcus sp. Strain WU-K2R A Rhodococcus strain capable of sulfur-specific desulfurization of benzothiophene, naphthothiophene (NT), and some of their alkyl derivatives was reported [35]. The metabolites of BT desulfurization were BT sulfone, benzo[c][l,2]oxanthiin S-oxide, benzo[c][l,2]oxanthiin S,S-dioxide, o-hydroxystyrene, 2,(2 -hydroxyphenyl)ethan-l-al, and benzofuran. The NT metabolites were NT sulfone, 2 -hydroxynaphthyl ethene, and naphtho[2,l-b]furan [35], The exact biochemical pathway was not determined, however, part of the pathway for BT desulfurization was speculated to be similar to Paenibacillus All-2. 

Succinic acid (ethane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid) is also known as amber acid with an International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry name of butanedioic acid. It is a dicarboxylic acid (saturated) with the chemical formula of HO2C (CH2)2C02H, and its chemical structure is illustrated in Fig. 9.3. The acid and its esters occur in nature in amber, spring water, meteorites, vegetables, and fruit and animal tissues. The production methods generally include the biochemical and chemical oxidation of fats and alcoholic fermentation. In its pure form, succinic acid occurs as colorless triclinic prisms (a-form) and monoclinic prisms (p-form) (Fumagalli, 2007). Some of the significant properties of succinic acid are summarized in Table 9.2. 

---